Rabbits in headlights lead to trespassing

CATCHING rabbits to use in greyhound training last week landed a Portlaoise man in court.

CATCHING rabbits to use in greyhound training last week landed a Portlaoise man in court.

Barry McStay, Pallas Little, Portlaoise, was charged with entering land to hunt animals without permission, at Moneyquid, Killeigh, on October 30 last year.

Inspector Martin Harrington gave evidence that a white van was parked at the edge of an equestrian centre on that date, and when gardaí investigated they found McStay with a couple of dogs and several dead rabbits.

Defence, Mr Philip Meagher informed Judge Catherine Staines that the rabbits were actually alive and were to be used in the training of greyhounds. Mr Meagher explained that his client and another individual were out on the day with “lurchers”, dogs who were trained to catch rabbits alive and return them to the handler. Mr Meagher said that McStay had permission to be on a nearby farm and when he was returning from the area the lights of the van caught a number of rabbits, which McStay then went after.

If you wish, you can contact us using any of the methods below: Leinster Express,107 Lower Main Street,LaoisEmail: editor@leinsterexpress.ieTelephone: 057 8621666

This website and its associated newspaper are full participating members of the Press Council of Ireland and supports the Office of the Press Ombudsman. This scheme in addition to defending the freedom of the press, offers readers a quick, fair and free method of dealing with complaints that they may have in relation to articles that appear on our pages. To contact the Office of the Press Ombudsman go to www.pressombudsman.ie or www.presscouncil.ie Leinster Express provides news, events and sport features from the Laois area. For the best up to date information relating to Laois and the surrounding areas visit us at Leinster Express regularly or bookmark this page.